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Today, I am pleased to be telling you about a new sponsor, Little Acorn Learning. Little Acorn Learning is the work of Eileen, whose blog can be found at Eileen's Place. In her words:
"At Little Acorn Learning, emphasis is placed on fostering a love of nature in young children and the home arts. This is a holistic, whole life program warming and nurturing both the children and the provider. This program is as much for the caregiver as it is for the children."
Eileen: Nature inspires me. Children inspire me. What I love most is when those two wonderful inspirations merge – its perfection. And that is what I work hard to do with Little Acorn Learning – to draw children and nature together to create a lifelong relationship – a bond – that will help change the direction our society is headed.
SouleMama: How has Motherhood changed the work you do?
Eileen: Before becoming a parent, I worked to make a living – to get ahead. Now, I work for purpose. Motherhood has not only changed my work but my entire Self. Everything is more important now. I think of the future and what my children and grandchildren will be left to worry about. I think about our world and how seriously we need to step back and reevaluate ourselves and our choices. Everything has more meaning and my choices are more important – the food we eat, where we spend our time, how we spend our time, the content and amount of media in our home… Mothering is the most difficult job I have ever had to do – it comes with such joy but also a deep ache that lives forever in a woman’s heart – a pain and a knowledge that we have brought these little children into an imperfect world. Motherhood has made me a conscious being… when before I couldn’t see past my own self.
SouleMama: How does the balance of work and family play out for you?
Eileen: Finding balance as a working mother is always a challenge. In all that I do, I try hard to make sure that my children and my husband’s needs come first and my work comes second. This can be SO difficult. One way that my husband and I address this issue is to include our children in our work. Often, the crafts that I am putting into my guides will be tested out by my own daughters or the girls will help lead circle time or a nature walk with my nursery school children. Our daughters love working in the woodshop with my husband so they are able to help him build playstands and do home improvement tasks. When I need time alone to write, I try to do that when they are sleeping or when they are engaged in books or a quiet activity after we’ve had a busy morning together. Sometimes I have to take my laptop to a local coffee shop when my husband is caring for them so I can focus and they do not feel that my attention is pulled in a different direction. Putting my family first has required me to make some hard decisions. My nursery school is currently opened three days per week so I can have two days off to focus on my family, home and writing. I have put some of my writing ideas on hold as my girls are still young and need me so very much. I try to remind myself that there will be plenty of time for these things as they grow up. It isn’t easy but I know that I will never look back on my life and regret not working hard enough… but I will look back on my life and regret not spending enough time with my family.
For today's giveaway, Little Acorn Learning is offering the following to one winner:
One Free May 5 Day Childcare Guide and a Spring Natural Childcare Menu
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Thank you to Little Acorn Learning!
To enter, please leave a comment in today's post (one entry per person, please!). I'll close comments and announce the winner by 8am EST on Sunday. Comments closed! The winner is...
What a great inspiration! I would love to win!
Posted by: Rose
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